No foreign military bases or troops in Ghana under EU deal – Foreign Affairs Ministry clarifies

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ghana has firmly dismissed claims that Ghana’s newly signed security agreement with the European Union will allow the establishment of foreign military bases or the deployment of foreign troops within the country.

The clarification follows growing public concern and widespread misinformation surrounding the Security and Defence Partnership between Ghana and the European Union, with some sections of the public expressing fears over potential threats to national sovereignty.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 14, the Ministry emphasised that the agreement is strictly focused on strengthening cooperation in addressing emerging security threats and enhancing Ghana’s national and regional security architecture.

“The Ministry wishes to categorically state that the agreement neither provides for the establishment of foreign military bases in Ghana nor does it permit the stationing of foreign troops on Ghanaian soil,” the statement stressed, assuring citizens that Ghana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity remain fully protected.

According to the Ministry, the partnership establishes a structured framework for collaboration in key areas including counter-terrorism, maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, cybersecurity, border management, and support for peacekeeping and crisis response operations.

The agreement also provides for technical assistance, capacity-building initiatives, specialised training, and equipment support for Ghana’s security agencies, aimed at improving operational readiness and strengthening institutional capabilities.

Officials noted that the agreement is not an entirely new initiative but builds on longstanding cooperation between Ghana and the European Union, formalising years of collaboration into a more coordinated and strategic framework.

The Ministry further explained that the partnership is grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and Ghana’s national security priorities, rather than any form of external military control or presence.

Responding directly to circulating concerns, the Ministry stated that such interpretations misrepresent the intent and substance of the agreement and urged the public to disregard claims suggesting otherwise.

It added that Ghana’s decision to deepen ties with the EU is informed by evolving security challenges in the West African sub-region, including the growing threat of violent extremism in the Sahel and maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea.

The Ministry also reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to its longstanding foreign policy principles, including non-alignment, good neighbourliness, Pan-Africanism, and peaceful coexistence.

It stressed that Ghana will not enter into any bilateral or multilateral arrangement that undermines its sovereignty or the security of neighbouring states, adding that all international engagements will continue to prioritise transparency, accountability, and the national interest.